letter from the director-2013-05

4
May 2013 Dear mission partners, April has been a chaotic month and many unexpected events happened. Other than the continuous internal turmoil in Syria, the earthquake in Ya’an China ripped apart many families and the building collapse in Bangla desh revealed the horrible working conditions of the textile workers. The explosion of the fertilizer plant in Texas USA once again tells us that in spite of our advanced technology, we are far short of being able to con trol what we imperfect human beings have invented. In the midst of the various events, two young girls caught my eye. Lu Lingzi, 23yearold, was from Shenyang China and a graduate student at Boston University. She was one of the three people who lost their lives in the Boston Marathon bombings a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, she was caught in the middle of this evil act while she was pursuing her American dream and soaking herself in the great spirit of American adventure exhibited in the world’s oldest marathon. We learned from the news that during her short stay in Boston, she was befriended with a group of Christians and also participated in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Boston University. A picture captured the scene that she was at a retreat organised by InterVarsity, learning about Jesus Christ. But her life was cut short. We will never know if she committed her life to Jesus. Amanda Thatcher, 19yearold, was born and raised in South Africa and United States. She is also the grand daughter of the late Lady Thatcher. As one of the most controversial political figures in the world, the former UK prime minister’s funeral attracted the attention of millions around the world. During the funeral service, Amanda stood up and gave composed reading from the Book of Ephesians in the Bible. Amanda is a very dedi cated Christian and has carried out missionary work in China in recent years. She is described by her friends as modest, unshowy, and was once voted “most likely to change the world” by her high school peers. The story of Lu Lingzi reminds us again of the urgency to seize every opportunity to share the Good News with this young generation of students. As time moves forward, history will be written by this generation and Amanda Thatcher could be one of the leading figures. Here in Europe, many young students are coming over for studies every year. Most of them are just like Lu Lingzi, seeking new frontiers and pursuing new dreams. At the same time, many localborn Chinese young people are also growing up in Europe. Some of them might be like Amanda Thatcher who could play a major role in changing the world. How important it is for us who know this eternal God to share the Good News with this generation! This past weekend, about 20 young localborn Chinese Christian leaders gathered together in our mission cen tre to share lives and to plan the upcoming PHAT camp in August. It was led by our Second Generation Minis try team Ian Ma, Wesley Lai and Josh Shek. The Second Generation young people are one of the priority people groups we want to minister to so that they will become mature Christians and future leaders to sup port this ministry and to mobilize a young generation for God’s kingdom. Please join me to pray for the preparation work of PHAT camp this year. May God continue to work in the hearts of this young generation and stir up the fire in them so that they will be burning for Jesus! Serving together in Christ, Rev. Henry Lu General Director

Upload: chinese-overseas-christian-mission

Post on 31-Mar-2016

216 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

April has been a chaotic month and many unexpected events happened. Other than the continuous internal turmoil in Syria, the earthquake in Ya’an China ripped apart many families and the building collapse in Bangladesh revealed the horrible working conditions of the textile workers.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Letter from the Director-2013-05

   May  2013    Dear  mission  partners,    April  has  been  a  chaotic  month  and  many  unexpected  events  happened.  Other  than  the  continuous  internal  turmoil  in  Syria,  the  earthquake  in  Ya’an  China  ripped  apart  many  families  and  the  building  collapse  in  Bangla-­‐desh   revealed   the  horrible  working  conditions  of   the   textile  workers.  The  explosion  of   the   fertilizer  plant   in  Texas  USA  once  again  tells  us  that  in  spite  of  our  advanced  technology,  we  are  far  short  of  being  able  to  con-­‐trol  what  we  imperfect  human  beings  have  invented.    In  the  midst  of  the  various  events,  two  young  girls  caught  my  eye.      Lu  Lingzi,  23-­‐year-­‐old,  was  from  Shenyang  China  and  a  graduate  student  at  Boston  University.  She  was  one  of  the  three  people  who  lost  their  lives  in  the  Boston  Marathon  bombings  a  couple  of  weeks  ago.  Unfortunately,  she  was  caught  in  the  middle  of  this  evil  act  while  she  was  pursuing  her  American  dream  and  soaking  herself  in  the  great  spirit  of  American  adventure  exhibited  in  the  world’s  oldest  marathon.  We  learned  from  the  news  that  during  her  short  stay  in  Boston,  she  was  befriended  with  a  group  of  Christians  and  also  participated  in  the  InterVarsity  Christian  Fellowship  at  Boston  University.  A  picture  captured  the  scene  that  she  was  at  a  retreat  organised  by   InterVarsity,   learning  about   Jesus  Christ.  But  her   life  was  cut   short.  We  will  never  know   if   she  committed  her  life  to  Jesus.      Amanda  Thatcher,  19-­‐year-­‐old,  was  born  and  raised  in  South  Africa  and  United  States.  She  is  also  the  grand-­‐daughter  of  the  late  Lady  Thatcher.  As  one  of  the  most  controversial  political  figures  in  the  world,  the  former  UK  prime  minister’s   funeral  attracted  the  attention  of  millions  around  the  world.  During  the  funeral  service,  Amanda  stood  up  and  gave  composed  reading  from  the  Book  of  Ephesians  in  the  Bible.  Amanda  is  a  very  dedi-­‐cated  Christian  and  has  carried  out  missionary  work  in  China  in  recent  years.  She  is  described  by  her  friends  as  modest,  unshowy,  and  was  once  voted  “most  likely  to  change  the  world”  by  her  high  school  peers.      The  story  of  Lu  Lingzi  reminds  us  again  of  the  urgency  to  seize  every  opportunity  to  share  the  Good  News  with  this   young   generation   of   students.   As   time  moves   forward,   history   will   be   written   by   this   generation   and  Amanda  Thatcher  could  be  one  of  the  leading  figures.  Here  in  Europe,  many  young  students  are  coming  over  for  studies  every  year.  Most  of  them  are  just  like  Lu  Lingzi,  seeking  new  frontiers  and  pursuing  new  dreams.  At  the  same  time,  many  local-­‐born  Chinese  young  people  are  also  growing  up  in  Europe.  Some  of  them  might  be  like  Amanda  Thatcher  who  could  play  a  major  role  in  changing  the  world.  How  important  it  is  for  us  who  know  this  eternal  God  to  share  the  Good  News  with  this  generation!      This  past  weekend,  about  20  young  local-­‐born  Chinese  Christian  leaders  gathered  together  in  our  mission  cen-­‐tre  to  share  lives  and  to  plan  the  upcoming  PHAT  camp  in  August.  It  was  led  by  our  Second  Generation  Minis-­‐try   team   -­‐   Ian  Ma,  Wesley   Lai   and   Josh   Shek.   The   Second  Generation   young  people   are  one  of   the  priority  people  groups  we  want  to  minister  to  so  that  they  will  become  mature  Christians  and  future  leaders  to  sup-­‐port  this  ministry  and  to  mobilize  a  young  generation  for  God’s  kingdom.      Please   join  me   to  pray   for   the  preparation  work  of  PHAT  camp   this  year.  May  God  continue   to  work   in   the  hearts  of  this  young  generation  and  stir  up  the  fire  in  them  so  that  they  will  be  burning  for  Jesus!    Serving  together  in  Christ,                                                                                                                                              Rev.  Henry  Lu                                                                                                                                                                                                      General  Director  

Page 2: Letter from the Director-2013-05

   二零一三年五月    親愛的宣教夥伴們,            許多不幸的事件在四月連續發生。除了敘利亞國內持續的混戰,中國雅安的地震震碎了無數的家庭,孟加拉國一幢樓房的坍塌則揭露了當地紡織工人惡劣的工作環境。美國德薩斯州一

家化肥廠發生的爆炸再一次讓我們看到,儘管我們發明了各樣先進的科技,但是我們這些不完

美的人卻連我們自己所發明的都無法掌控。          在所有這些事件中,有兩個年輕女孩引起了我的注意。          呂令子,23歲,來自中國瀋陽並就讀於波士頓大學。她不幸成為波士頓馬拉松爆炸中的三位遇難者之一。她怎麼也不會想到,當她還沈浸在美國夢的美好中,並感受世界上歷史最悠久

的馬拉松賽事的氛圍之時,邪惡就臨到了她。從新聞報導中我得知,她在波士頓讀書期間,曾

認識了一群基督徒朋友,並參與波士頓大學中的校園基督徒團契。還有一張照片拍到她參加校

園團契的退修會。可是她年輕的生命就這樣凋零了。如今,我們已經無法知道最終她有沒有將

生命交托給耶穌。           Amanda   Thatcher,19歲,在南非和美國出生長大,同時她也是已故戴卓爾夫人的孫女。作為世界政治史上最具爭議的人物之一,這位英國前首相的葬禮吸引了全世界億萬人的目光。

在葬禮上,Amanda站到台前,朗讀了聖經以弗所書中的一段內容。據稱,Amanda是一位虔誠的基督徒並曾在近年前往中國宣教。她的朋友都說她是一位樸實低調的年輕人,她高中的同學

甚至投票,選她當選為“最可能改變世界”的人物。          呂令子的故事再一次提醒我們傳福音的緊迫性,讓我們都趁著還有今天,抓緊每一個可能的機會,特別是在年輕一代人中宣揚這得救的大好消息。當時代不斷推進的時候,歷史終將會

由新一代的年輕人來書寫,而Amanda會成為這一代年輕人中的代表性人物。在歐洲,每年都有大批年輕的留學生來到這裡求學,他們中的大多數人都像呂令子那樣,滿懷希望追求夢想。

很多在歐洲本地出生的華裔年輕人也漸漸成長起來,他們中的一些人也許會跟Amanda一樣,成為改變這個世界的力量。因此,我們這些認識神的人,實在是需要將福音帶給這一代的年輕

人,這不僅十分緊急,也具有重大的意義。          在過去的這個週末,大約有20位第二代華裔基督徒領袖聚集在我們的宣教中心,一同團契並討論預備即將在八月舉行的“齊來頌讚祂”營會。這次的領袖訓練營由我們第二代事工的團

隊帶領,其中包括馬益安牧師、黎瑋醫生和石建基弟兄。第二代華裔青少年是差會優先佈道群

體之一,我們盼望他們這一代年輕人都能成長為成熟的基督徒,並動員鼓勵他們同時代的年輕

人參與神國的事工。          請跟我一起為“齊來頌讚祂”營會的預備工作禱告。願神繼續在這一代年輕人心中做工,點燃他們心中的火焰,為耶穌燃燒!      在主裡與你們同工的,            呂子峰牧師  總幹事      

Page 3: Letter from the Director-2013-05

二零一三年五月    亲爱的宣教伙伴们,            许多不幸的事件在四月连续发生。除了叙利亚国内持续的混战,中国雅安的地震震碎了无数的家庭,孟加拉国一幢楼房的坍塌则揭露了当地纺织工人恶劣的工作环境。美国德克萨斯州

一家化肥厂发生的爆炸再一次让我们看到,尽管我们发明了各样先进的科技,但是我们这些不

完美的人却连我们自己所发明的都无法掌控。          在所有这些事件中,有两个年轻女孩引起了我的注意。          吕令子,23 岁,来自中国沈阳并就读于波士顿大学。她不幸成为波士顿马拉松爆炸中的三位遇难者之一。她怎么也不会想到,当她还沉浸在美国梦的美好中,并感受世界上历史最悠

久的马拉松赛事的氛围之时,邪恶就临到了她。从新闻报导中我得知,她在波士顿读书期间,

认识了一群基督徒朋友,并参与波士顿大学中的校园基督徒团契。还有一张照片拍到她参加校

园团契的退修会。可是如今,我们已经无法知道最终她有没有将生命交托给耶稣。           Amanda   Thatcher,19 岁,在南非和美国出生长大,同时她也是已故英国首相撒切尔夫人的孙女。作为世界政治史上最具争议的人物之一,这位英国前首相的葬礼吸引了全世界亿万人

的目光。在葬礼上,Amanda 站到台前,朗读了圣经以弗所书中的一段内容。据称,Amanda是一位虔诚的基督徒并曾在近年前往中国宣教。她的朋友都说她是一位朴实低调的年轻人,她

高中的同学甚至投票,使她当选为“最可能改变世界”的人物。          吕令子的故事再一次提醒我们传福音的紧迫性,让我们都趁着还有今天,抓紧每一个可能的机会,特别是在年轻一代人中宣扬这得救的大好消息。当时代不断推进的时候,历史终将会

由新一代的年轻人来书写,而 Amanda 会成为这一代年轻人中的代表性人物。在欧洲,每年都有大批年轻的留学生来到这里求学,他们中的大多数人都像吕令子那样,满怀希望追求梦想。

很多在欧洲本地出生的华裔年轻人也渐渐成长起来,他们中的一些人也许会跟 Amanda 一样,成为改变这个世界的力量。因此,我们这些认识神的人,实在是需要将福音带给这一代的年轻

人,这不仅十分紧急,也具有重大的意义。          在过去的这个周末,大约有 20 位第二代华裔基督徒领袖聚集在我们的宣教中心,一同团契并讨论预备即将在八月举行的“齐来颂赞祂”营会。这次的领袖训练营由我们第二代事工的

团队带领,其中包括马益安牧师、黎玮医生和石建基弟兄。第二代华裔青少年是差会优先布道

群体之一,我们盼望他们这一代年轻人都能成长为成熟的基督徒,并动员鼓励他们同时代的年

轻人参与神国的事工。          请跟我一起为“齐来颂赞祂”营会的预备工作祷告。愿神继续在这一代年轻人心中做工,点燃他们心中的火焰,为耶稣燃烧!    在主里与你们同工的,  

 吕子峰牧师  总干事  

Page 4: Letter from the Director-2013-05

 

Rev.  Ian  Ma  giving  a  message  to  the  leaders  馬益安牧師跟這些年輕領袖分享信息  

With  Rev.  Bert  Han  and  Dr.  Wesley  Lai  與韓世豪牧師和黎瑋醫生  

The  young  leaders  were  working  on  the  team-­‐building  project  

年輕人們一起玩遊戲建立隊工    

The  final  product  最終成果

 

 The  group  photo  of  PHAT  Leaders  Retreat  

PHAT領袖訓練營集體照  Lifted  up  –  the  upcoming  PHAT  Camp  this  August  

Lifted  up──八月即將舉行的 PHAT營會